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It is also the most common drug reported by new cases, while opiates are the most common drug reported by previously treated cases.

Meanwhile, cocaine remains as third most common drug reported.

The number of users who reported taking additional drugs decreased from 83% in 2010 to 70% in 2016.

In 2016, the most common additional drug was alcohol, followed by cannabis and benzodiazepines.

HRB Dr Suzi Lyons said cocaine and cannabis are two of the main culprits.

Dr Lyons said: “There are changes in the types of drugs reported. Opiates remain the main problem drug over the period, but they have decreased as a proportion of all cases treated, from 58% in 2010 to 47% in 2016.

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“Meanwhile the proportion of all cases that report cocaine, cannabis and benzodiazepines have increased’.

“Since 2014 there has been a steady increase in the proportion of cases reporting cocaine as a main problem drug, rising from 8%, 708 cases, of all cases in 2013 to 12% , 1,138 cases, of all cases in 2016.

“This rise is seen in both new and previously treated cases. There has been an increase in the proportion of cases who were female, from 14% in 2010 to 23% in 2016.”

Dr Lyons said there has also been an increase in the number of people reporting problems with benzodiazepines.

She said they rose from 4%, 365 cases, in 2010, to 10%, 897, in 2016 of all cases treated.